A forum for civility resources and communication from Iowa State University Extension

The engaged university

We should never quit learning and asking questions. The more knowledge we gain, the more we realize how little we know.

True leaders understand this.
They surround themselves with people who are smarter in different fields than they are. True leaders ask questions, listen and learn.

The workers who encourage give and take of conversations, instead of trying to monopolize the conversation, get this.

The university extension service that asks questions and listens to its citizens to learn about the problems firsthand, understands this.
Engaged extension folks practice information and knowledge sharing from the university to the people and from the people back to the university. The extension service understands university research and teaching need to focus on the right problems.

Here’s an annual news release out of northern Mississippi that always impresses me in how well this extension service plans engagement, how well extension listens. It’s the ultimate respect, the ultimate civility. It’s working for the public good. Ag producers meet to tell research, education needs, http://msucares.com/news/releases/08/080228producers.html